Releasing Potential School Curriculum

The school delivers a varied curriculum which is designed to help students who have not thrived in mainstream education to achieve. The curriculum has a practical, hands-on slant; our outdoor and physical activity programmes are central to everything we do.

Core subjects are:

English

Maths

Outdoor Education

Food Studies

Personal & Social Development (PSD)

These are studied at Entry Level in Years 7, 8 and 9, at Level 1 in years 10 and 11, and Level 2 in Years 12 and 13. We will offer an iGCSE in Maths and English for those students who are able to access it. Possible additional iGCSE subjects include Craft, Design & Technology (CDT), Physical Education (PE), Art, Project work, and Enrichment.

Optional subjects in Years 7-11 include:

CDT

PE

Art

Project work

Enrichment

For Post-16 students options will include Work Skills, Life Skills and Work Experience.

The English and Maths curriculum has been designed and written by Lara Penfold, Head of School. Lesson plans will be shared with staff at a Friday afternoon meeting for the following week’s teaching. Lara is on hand to support staff with delivery and to carry out regular Teaching Evaluation and Review of Delivery observations.

Other subject curricula have been written by subject area specialists (eg. Mikey Pearce for Outdoor Education, Wayne Peters for PSD, Tom Belcher for PE). Schemes of work are available, and it is the responsibility of individual tutors to deliver according to what will work best for the young person concerned.

It is essential that the curriculum is delivered consistently, and Lara will observe lessons on a rolling basis to offer feedback, support and guidance.